REDMOND, Wash., SANTA MONICA, Calif., and LOS ANGELES, March 9, 2000 —
FILMSPEED , ShowBIZ Data Inc. and Microsoft Corp. announced a new syndication model for streaming and downloaded video distribution on the Internet, using ShowBIZData’s deep, multileveled entertainment database, fully optimized FILMSPEED video imagery and Microsoft® Windows Media TM technologies.
This alliance enables the Hollywood film and television community to distribute movie trailers and other video content on the Internet at less expense, with higher quality, and to a wider audience than ever before, all from the central FILMSPEED distribution service in Los Angeles.
Currently, Hollywood studios and independent filmmakers must send out hundreds of movie trailers on videotape to Web sites that want to post this popular consumer content. Each Web site, in turn, must have the equipment, staff, resources and expertise to encode, host and integrate this content.
FILMSPEED simplifies the process by making fully optimized Internet video content available to multiple Web brands. For the destination Web site affiliate, adding high-quality FILMSPEED content is as easy as inserting a link in a Web page. The video is served seamlessly by FILMSPEED without taking the visitor away from the Web site that provided the link.
FILMSPEED chose Windows Media because of its quality and security. Windows Media provides FM-quality sound for dial-up modems and CD-quality sound with near-broadcast quality video for broadband connections. FILMSPEED provides encoding for all connection speeds. Windows Media also enables secure pay-per-download distribution with built- in, flexible digital rights management and pay-per-view with the recently announced Digital Broadcast Manager. With more than 60 million players downloaded, Windows Media offers the largest installed base of secure players.
“This new relationship addresses head-on the distribution inefficiencies and lack of quality control and that have plagued Internet film promotion,”
said ShowBIZ Data CEO Oliver Eberle.
”
The teaming of ShowBIZData.com, FILMSPEED and Microsoft will not only significantly simplify the distribution of film trailers and video content but will also continually set new Internet video standards as the technology matures.”
FILMSPEED previewed its first trailers at ShowBIZ Data’s Interactive Lounge at the Sundance Film Festival 2000. The high-end trailers were posted on WindowsMedia.com and attracted more than 90,000 viewers in three days.
“This is revolutionizing the way video content is distributed on the Internet,”
said FILMSPEED Founder Aron Campisano.
“Together with ShowBIZ Data, we’re enabling the Hollywood studios to distribute extremely high-quality and cost-effective movie trailers, with a comprehensive database component, from a centralized source. It’s one-stop shopping for wide-area Internet video distribution.”
“FILMSPEED and ShowBIZ Data certainly makes it easier for studios to get film clips out to the Internet,”
said Dave Fester, director of marketing for Microsoft’s Digital Media Division.
“This syndication model guarantees Hollywood that its content will reach the broadest possible audience with the quality that movie fans and professionals demand and the security that studios need to protect their intellectual property.”
About FILMSPEED
FILMSPEED is a high-quality Internet video syndication service supplemented by ShowBIZ Data’s comprehensive database containing information on more than 130,000 films. FILMSPEED is a product of AXE Digital Television (www.AXEdigitalTV.com), a broadband television studio based in Venice, Calif. AXE specializes in creating the highest- quality video imagery on the Internet today, and is driving the adoption of revolutionary video distribution models through brands such as FILMSPEED and other initiatives.
About ShowBIZ Data
ShowBIZData.com is the expert entertainment search engine specialist. The company’s flagship service provides entertainment professionals and consumers with a fast and easy way to obtain information about the film industry. Anyone with an Internet connection and a Web browser can log onto http://www.showbizdata.com/ and receive instant box office information, production and development data, industry headlines, film market facts and much more. Users include executives in film studios, production companies and film enthusiasts who want instant and convenient access to the latest news and information relating to the entertainment industry.
About Windows Media
Windows Media is the leading digital media platform, providing consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations with unmatched audio and video quality. Windows Media Technologies 4, which includes Windows Media Player, Windows Media Services, Windows Media Tools and the Windows Media SDK, is available for free* download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ . The Windows Media Player, available in 24 languages, is the fastest growing media player. More than 60 million copies have been downloaded to date – growing by more than one every second.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .
